Industry:
Automotive
Carglass® Transforms Invoice Processing, Achieving Automation in Just 7 Months - a Basware and Deloitte project
Carglass®, a leader in automotive glass repair and replacement, serves over one million customers annually across France alone. With nearly 3,000 employees, more than 700 service centers, and a fleet of 350 mobile units, the company ensures seamless service nationwide. To maintain operational excellence and compliance, Carglass in France embarked on a strategic financial transformation.
Key Takeways
7 months
Full Deployment
83%
Invoice-to-PO Matching Rate
55%
Faster Supplier Payment Processing
Automating invoice processing in compliance with e-invoicing regulations
As part of this transformation, Carglass implemented Basware’s automated invoice processing solution to comply with France’s government-mandated e-invoicing regulations. This initiative coincided with an ongoing ERP upgrade, requiring meticulous planning and execution within a strict seven-month timeline. The transition from manually entered paper invoices to a fully digital workflow also necessitated a comprehensive change management strategy to ensure smooth adoption across the organization.
Critical success factors
- Rapid Implementation – Prioritizing swift delivery to meet tight deadlines.
- Minimal Localization – Focusing solely on essential legal requirements for France to accelerate deployment.
- Change Management – Ensuring user adoption of the new mandatory Purchase Order (PO) and Goods Receipt (GR) processes through structured change management efforts.
Main challenges
The project faced the significant challenge of a fast-tracked deployment to align with the concurrent ERP upgrade.
As part of a broader financial transformation within the BELRON Group (Carglass’s parent company), the initiative involved migrating to a new Oracle ERP and standardizing financial processes across its ten largest markets. In France, Carglass executed its Oracle 12.2 migration while simultaneously implementing Basware’s digital invoicing solution.
To execute a project of this scale in such a short timeframe, having a clear understanding of our processes was essential. Our internal pre-framing phase helped validate each step, significantly streamlining project management.”
Claire Deschand, Director of Audit, Risk Management, and Finance Projects at Carglass
Key achievements: success in record time
Despite starting after similar initiatives in the UK and US, Carglass France completed its implementation ahead of both regions. Notable achievements include:
- Full Deployment in 7 Months – Successfully rolled out Basware’s solution across 3,700 active suppliers.
- 83% Invoice-to-PO Matching Rate – Achieved within just five months of going live.
- 55% Faster Supplier Payment Processing – Improving cash flow and supplier relationships.
- Pre-Framing Strategy – Early design validation streamlined project management and minimized implementation hurdles.
Executive insights: the power of strategic planning
Claire Deschand, Director of Audit, Risk Management, and Finance Projects at Carglass, emphasized the importance of internal preparation: "To execute a project of this scale in such a short timeframe, having a clear understanding of our processes was essential. Our internal pre-framing phase helped validate each step, significantly streamlining project management.”
Jérôme Grignon, Finance and Performance Partner at Deloitte, highlighted the role of internal engagement:
“Given the project’s timeline, securing buy-in from different business units was a crucial factor in achieving our objectives.”
Future-ready for e-invoicing compliance
Carglass now processes 115,000 supplier invoices annually through Basware, ensuring full compliance with France’s upcoming e-invoicing regulations. The company is well-positioned to integrate with Basware’s PDP (Partner Dematerialization Platform) for continued compliance and operational efficiency.
Beyond compliance, automation has enhanced data insights, enabling Carglass to optimize supplier relationships, improve payment efficiency, and refine financial processes. The company’s commitment to innovation ensures it remains ahead of regulatory changes while maintaining best-in-class financial operations.
A model for digital transformation
By leveraging automation and digital innovation, Carglass has successfully transitioned to a future-proof financial process, demonstrating that strategic investments in technology drive both compliance and efficiency. This collaboration between Carglass, Basware, and Deloitte showcases the power of structured execution, making it a benchmark case for financial transformation in the industry.
“With better data insights, we can optimize supplier relationships, improve payment efficiency, and even enhance team structures.” concludes Deschand